Industrial Designer

About the role

We are seeking a hands-on Industrial Designer to turn emerging hardware technology into functional, well-designed physical products.

You will work closely with product and engineering leadership on demonstrators, evaluation modules, developer kits, enclosures, interfaces and packaging. This role combines industrial design craft with technical judgment, practical prototyping and clear communication.

Our technology and development roadmap are confidential. Further details will be shared during the interview process.

Location: Austin, Texas

Employment: Full-time

Working model: Hybrid, with at least four days per week in the office and flexible office hours

Experience: At least five years of relevant industry experience

Annual base salary: $100,000–$120,000 USD

What you will do

• Develop product concepts, form factors and user experiences for demonstrators, evaluation modules and developer kits.
• Create sketches, CAD models, physical mock-ups and functional prototypes from early exploration through design release.
• Integrate mechanisms, electronics, sensors, thermal requirements and wiring into purposeful assemblies.
• Define enclosure architecture, interfaces, ergonomics, assembly logic, service access, colour/material/finish and packaging.
• Build and test prototypes using rapid fabrication, off-the-shelf components and external vendors.
• Work with engineering to balance performance, safety, reliability, cost, manufacturability and serviceability.
• Prepare production-intent CAD, drawings, specifications, BOM inputs and vendor handoff materials.
• Create demonstrations that communicate practical value while accurately representing technical capabilities and limitations.
• Establish a coherent physical design language across prototypes and repeatable evaluation products.

What you will bring

• Five or more years of experience designing and delivering physical products, preferably with electromechanical content.
• A strong portfolio demonstrating functional prototypes, product architecture, technical problem-solving and shipped or production-intent work.
• Expertise in industrial design CAD and surfacing, with clear, robust engineering handoffs.
• Hands-on skills in prototyping, 3D printing, machining, model making, fixtures and practical assembly.
• Working knowledge of mechanisms, electronics packaging, tolerances, fasteners, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Experience with CMF, supplier collaboration, design for manufacturing and assembly, and low-volume production.
• Confidence discussing engineering trade-offs and working closely with technical teams.
• Strong communication, disciplined documentation and the ability to explain design decisions to technical and non-technical audiences.

This is a physical-product design role, not a digital UX/UI position. Aesthetic judgment matters, but so does the ability to build functional hardware.

Helpful experience

• Robotics, wearables, consumer electronics, medical devices, toys, automation or advanced hardware.
• Developer kits, evaluation products or trade-show demonstrators.
• Compact mechanisms, thermal systems or electronics integration.
• Packaging, instructions and the unboxing-to-first-use experience.
• Managing external model shops, fabricators or contract manufacturers.

Expected outcomes in the first year

• Establish a consistent physical design language for products and demonstrators.
• Develop two reliable, transportable application demonstrations showing real capabilities under defined conditions.
• Develop an evaluation or developer-kit concept with coherent enclosures, interfaces, documentation and packaging.
• Create reusable CAD, component and fabrication standards that accelerate development.
• Build a qualified network of Austin-area prototyping and low-volume manufacturing partners.

How we work

We value functional prototypes, specific user problems and close collaboration between design and engineering. We aim for strong ideas, technical precision and honest claims about what the hardware can do.

Regular in-person work is essential for prototype and equipment access. This position requires at least four days per week in our Austin office, with flexibility around office hours.

Hiring process

• Portfolio review focused on your contribution, technical decisions and outcomes.
• Conversation with product leadership about product judgment, collaboration and working style.
• Technical design review with engineering using a physical product from your portfolio.
• A bounded concept exercise or paid work sample if substantial preparation is required.
• An in-person prototype session, references and a written offer.

How to apply

Apply through this listing with your résumé and a portfolio link or PDF. Highlight one or two physical products you personally helped take from concept to prototype or production, and explain your specific contribution.